Experts suggest changing crops to tackle drought impact in Madhes

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, July 30: Experts have suggested changing the types of crops grown in Madhes to help reduce the impact of drought and avoid a possible food crisis. 

Traditionally, rice is planted during the monsoon season in most parts of the Tarai region. However, recent drought has made paddy planting difficult. Agriculture expert Dr. Krishna Paudel said that due to this, the risk to food security is increasing and that farmers should start growing crops that are more suitable for dry areas. 

Speaking at a programme on Climate Justice in Kathmandu on Monday, Dr. Paudel said the drought in Madhes and the Tarai is not a sudden problem.

He explained that the excessive use of chemicals and pesticides in farming has reduced the soil's fertility and made the environment warmer, which has contributed to the current drought situation. Therefore, he added, it is important to shift to a more sustainable farming system and maintain greenery in the Tarai to help cool the environment.

Dr. Paudel also warned that the government’s plan to build deep bore wells to tackle the farming crisis could turn the Tarai into a desert and stressed the need to look for alternative solutions instead.

Similarly, senior advocate Padam Bahadur Shrestha said that climate change affects not just humans, but also wildlife and plants. He stressed that legal action and attention should also be directed towards the impact on biodiversity. He mentioned that international courts on climate change have opened the way for such cases to be raised.

Another senior advocate, Raju Chapagain, said that the government and concerned stakeholders should also consider the rights of future generations while working towards climate justice. He added that addressing climate issues is important to strengthen the link between current and future generations. The event was jointly organised by Sancharika Samuha and ActionAid.